Providing lte network devices with downlink channels in an unlicesneed spectrum

ABSTRACT

A small cell device may communicate with a user device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.) via a range extender device that extends the effective range of the small cell device to the user device. The small cell device, the range extender device, and the user device may communicate with one another using channels of a licensed spectrum (e.g., traditional LTE channels). The range extender device may determine channel conditions corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 Gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum) and communicate the channel conditions to the small cell device. Based on the channel conditions, the small cell device and the range extender device may select downlink-only channels of the unlicensed spectrum and cause the downlink capabilities of the channels of the unlicensed spectrum to be augmented by the downlink capabilities of the downlink-only channels of the unlicensed spectrum.

BACKGROUND

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks and devices typically communicatewith one another using channels that correspond to a licensed spectrumof radio frequencies (also referred to herein as “LTE channels”).Recently, however, LTE in the Unlicensed Spectrum (LTE-U) and LicenseAssisted Access (LAA) are being developed with the aim of apply LTEcommunication standards to other radio frequency spectrums. An exampleof such a spectrum includes the 5 Gigahertz (GHz) Unlicensed Spectrumfor WiFi and Other Unlicensed Uses set forth by the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America.

LTE-U and LAA technologies may often be implemented using small celldevices that operate as enhanced node Bs (eNBs) but with much smallercoverage areas (often on the order of tens of meters in diameter). Insome scenarios, a network device, such as a repeater device or an LTERelay Node, may be used to extend the coverage area of a small celldevice by a few meters. A repeater device may extend the coverage areaof the small cell device by simply rebroadcasting the signal from thesmall cell device. An LTE Relay Node, on the other hand, may increasethe coverage range of a small cell device to operate the small celldevice in a more active and independent manner. For instance, an LTERelay Node may receive, demodulate, and decode a signal from the smallcell device, and then retransmit a new signal using the same band as thesmall cell device (for in-band communications) or in a separate band(for out-of-band communications).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily understood by thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals maydesignate like structural elements. Embodiments of the disclosure areillustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example overview of an implementationdescribed herein;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/ormethods described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example process for selecting a downlinkchannel, in unlicensed spectrum, for communicating information from asmall cell device to user a device;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of channel restrictions that maybe applied to a small cell device and/or a range extender device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another example of channel restrictionsthat may be applied to a small cell device and/or a range extenderdevice;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example for determining channel conditionsthat include wireless activity from one or more hidden nodes;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a small cell device and/or a rangeextender device determining channel conditions for different signalpower output levels; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of example components of a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. It is to be understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and structural or logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, thefollowing detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of embodiments in accordance with the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

Current wireless telecommunications technologies include techniques forimplementing a small cell device that operates as a base station, suchas an enhanced Node B (eNB), but with a limited coverage area, such as acoverage area with a diameter on the order of tens of meters. Suchtechnologies also include an ability to extend a coverage area of smallcell devices by using a wireless repeater or another type of rangeextender device. The small cell device may communicate (via the rangeextender device) with user devices via channels that correspond to aspectrum of radio frequencies that have been licensed for wirelesstelecommunications (referred to herein as a “licensed spectrumchannel”).

In some instances, the small cell device and the range extender devicemay enhance the ability of the small cell device to communicate with theuser device by augmenting the downlink capabilities of a licensedspectrum channel with the downlink capabilities of a channel from otherradio frequencies. The channel of the other radio frequencies mayinclude a channel that corresponds to an unlicensed spectrum (referredto herein as an “unlicensed spectrum channel”), such as the 5 Gigahertz(GHz) Unlicensed Spectrum for WiFi and Other Unlicensed Uses set forthby the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Additionally, the unlicensed spectrum channel may be a downlink-onlychannel (e.g., a communication channel that may only be used tocommunicate information in a downlink direction), from the small celldevice to the range extender device and/or from the range extenderdevice to the user device. Since the downlink-only channel may be usedto augment the downlink capabilities of the licensed spectrum channel,the unlicensed spectrum channel may include a supplementary downlink(SDL) channel to the licensed spectrum channel.

However, in some implementations, currently available techniques forselecting licensed spectrum channels may be ineffective and unreliable.For example, the small cell device and/or the range extender device maynot be capable determining whether using an unlicensed spectrum channelwill be effective since another small cell device (and/or another rangeextender device) in the area may already be using the unlicensedspectrum channel and/or creating enough interference within theunlicensed spectrum so as to render an available channel unreliabletransmitting information to the user device. This may be furthercomplicated by other device in the vicinity, such as WiFi-enableddevices, that are also using the unlicensed spectrum for wirelesscommunications.

Techniques described herein may be used to reliably select unlicensedspectrum channels for augmenting the downlink capabilities of licensedspectrum channels. For example, a small cell device may communicate witha user device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.) via a rangeextender device that extends the effective range of the small celldevice to the user device. The small cell device, the range extenderdevice, and the user device may communicate with one another using atypical channel (e.g., an LTE channel) of a licensed spectrum.

In addition, the range extender device may determine channel conditionscorresponding to an unlicensed spectrum and may communicate the channelconditions to the small cell device. In response, the small cell devicemay select an unlicensed spectrum channel based on the channelconditions from the range extender device. The unlicensed spectrumchannel may be used, as a supplemental downlink (SDL) channel, inconjunctions with the licensed spectrum channel, to increase to overalldownlink capabilities from the small cell device to the range extenderdevice.

The range extender device may also select an unlicensed spectrum channelfor communicating information, from the small cell device, to the userdevice. In some implementations, the range extender device may operateas a relatively passive relay device, such that the range extenderdevice may automatically select the same unlicensed spectrum channel(for communicating with the user device) that was selected by the smallcell device (for communicating with the range extender device). In otherimplementations, the range extender device may operate as a moreindependent or proactive device by, for example, analyzing the channelconditions of the unlicensed spectrum, identifying an appropriateunlicensed spectrum channel, and using the unlicensed spectrum channelto send information (from the small cell device) to the user device. Assuch, depending on the implementation, the range extender device may berelatively dependent or independent about which unlicensed spectrumchannel is used by the range extender device to communicate informationto the user device.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example overview of an implementationdescribed herein. Referring to FIG. 1, an LTE network may include asmall cell device capable of operating as an eNB for user devices withina relatively small coverage area (e.g., a coverage area that may bemeasured in the tens of meters in diameter). As shown, a range extenderdevice may be used to extend the effective coverage area of the smallcell device so that a user device located outside of the actual coveragearea of the small cell device may connect to the LTE network. The smallcell device, the range extender device, and the user device maycommunicate with one another using traditional LTE channels (e.g.,channels of a licensed spectrum of radio frequencies), which may includePersonal Communications Service (PCS) and/or Advanced Wireless Services(AWS).

At some point, it may be beneficial to use one or more downlinkchannels, of an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., the 5 GHz Spectrum) tocommunicate information from the small cell device to the user device.The downlink channel may include a downlink-only channel or asupplemental downlink (SDL) for a traditional LTE channel. As such, therange extender device may analyze channel conditions regarding theunlicensed spectrum (at 1). For example, the range extender device maydetermine whether there are other LTE devices in the vicinity that areusing one or more channels of the unlicensed spectrum and/or an amountof interference that appears to be affecting one or more of the channelsof the unlicensed spectrum. In another example, the range extenderdevice may also determine whether there are other types of devices(e.g., non-LTE devices) in the vicinity that are currently using theunlicensed spectrum. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, such devices may bereferred to herein as hidden nodes, and may include devices using theunlicensed 5 GHz Spectrum to communicate via WiFi or another ofstandard. In some implementations, the range extender device may alsoanalyze how channel conditions (e.g., interference from other wirelessdevices) appear when the range extender uses different levels of powerto communicate radio signals.

The range extender device may provide the channel conditions to thesmall cell device (at 2), which may enable the small cell device toselect an appropriate downlink channel for communicating with the rangeextender device (at 3). In some implementations, the range extenderdevice may select a downlink channel, for communicating information tothe user device, based on the channel selected by the small cell device(at 4). Alternatively, the range extender device may determine that adifferent downlink channel is more appropriate for communicatinginformation to the user device and may therefore select the differentdownlink channel.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the downlink channels selected by the smallcell device and the range extender device, from the unlicensed spectrum,may be used in combination with licensed spectrum channels (e.g.,traditional LTE channels). As such, techniques described herein mayenable a small cell device and/or a range extender device to analyzechannel conditions within an unlicensed spectrum, determine, based onthe channel conditions, the best downlink channels of the unlicensedspectrum, and use the downlink channels, in combination with channels ofthe licensed spectrum, to augment the overall downlink capabilities ofan LTE network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment 200 in which systemsand/or methods described herein may be implemented. Environment 200 mayinclude one or more user devices 210, enhanced nodeBs (eNBs) 220, smallcell devices 230, range extender devices 240, and network 250.

As shown, environment 200 may include an Evolved Packet System (EPS)that includes an LTE network and an evolved packet core (EPC) networkthat operate based on a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)wireless communication standard. The LTE network may be, or may include,radio access networks (RANs) that include one or more base stations,some or all of which may take the form of eNBs 220, via which userdevices 210 may communicate with the EPC network. The RANs may also, oralternatively, include one or more small cell devices 230 and/or rangeextenders, via which user devices 210 may communicate with the EPCnetwork.

User device 210 may include a portable computing and communicationdevice, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, acellular phone, a laptop computer with connectivity to a cellularwireless network, a tablet computer, etc. User device 210 may alsoinclude non-portable computing devices, such as a desktop computer, aconsumer or business appliance, or other devices that have the abilityto connect to network 250. User device 210 may also include a computingand communication device that may be worn by a user (also referred to aswearable devices) as a watch, a fitness band, a necklace, glasses, aneyeglass, a ring, a belt, a headset, or another type of wearable device.

eNB 220 may include one or more network devices that receives,processes, and/or transmits traffic destined for and/or received fromuser device 210 (e.g., via an air interface). eNB 220 may be connectedto a network device, such as site router, that functions as anintermediary for information communicated between eNB 220 and the EPC.

Small cell device 230 may include a network device that operates in thesame manner, or in a similar manner, as eNB 220, except that a coveragearea for small cell device 230 may be much smaller than a coverage areaof eNB 220. Small cell device 230 may include one or more networkdevices that receives, processes, and/or transmits traffic destined forand/or received from user device 210 (e.g., via an air interface). Smallcell device 230 may also be connected to a network device, such as asite router, that functions as an intermediary for informationcommunicated between eNB 220 and the EPC. In some implementations, smallcell device 230 may be implemented by an eNB with a reduced coveragearea.

Range extender device 240 may include a network device that may operateto extend the effective coverage area of small cell device 230. In someimplementations, range extender device 240 may include a repeater devicethat may relay information from small cell device 230 to user device210. In such implementations, range extender device 240 may use the samecell identifier (ID) as small cell device 230, and thus may appear(e.g., to user device 210) as the same device. In some implementations,range extender device 240 may include a more functionally complex and/orindependent device, capable of receiving, demodulating, and decodinginformation from small cell device 230, in addition to retransmittingthe information to user device 210 using a channel that may be the sameas, or different than, the channel used by small cell device 210. Insuch implementations, range extender device 240 may have its own cellID, have its own overhead messages, and appear as an independent cellfrom the perspective of user device 210.

In some implementations, range extender device 240 may be a small celldevice used to extend the coverage area of small cell device 230. Abenefit of such an implementation may include having more than one cellshare a backhaul network of a wireless telecommunications network (e.g.,where only one cell (e.g., small cell device 230) is actually connectedto the backhaul network and the other (e.g., range extender device 230)is an independent eNB but does not require a dedicated backhaul), whichmay make deployment very easy.

In some implementations, range extender device 240 may monitor networkconditions corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum and provide channelconditions information corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum. Examplesof such information may include whether a particular channel is beingused or is subject to enough signal interference so as to make thechannel unreliable for communicating information within a local coveragearea. Additional examples may include an indication of which channelsare not being used and/or are not subject to a significant (orthreshold) amount of signal interference.

Network 250 may include an EPC of a wireless telecommunications network.However, in some implementations, network 250 may include one or moreadditional, wired and/or wireless, networks. For example, network 250may include a cellular network (e.g., a second generation (2G) network,a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, afifth generation (5G) network, global system for mobile (GSM) network, acode division multiple access (CDMA) network, an evolution-dataoptimized (EVDO) network, or the like), a public land mobile network(PLMN), and/or another network. Additionally, or alternatively, network250 may include a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), awide area network (WAN), a metropolitan network (MAN), the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), an ad hoc network, a managed IPnetwork, a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, the Internet, afiber optic-based network, and/or a combination of these or other typesof networks.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of an example process 300 for selecting adownlink channel, in an unlicensed spectrum, for communicatinginformation from small cell device 230 to user device 210. Process 300may be implemented by one or more of small cell device 230 and rangeextender device 240.

As shown, process 300 may include extending a coverage area of a smallcell device 230 (block 310). For example, user device 210 may be locatedoutside of the coverage area of small cell device 230, and therefore maynot be capable of communicating directly with small cell device 230.However, user device 210 may be within a coverage area of range extenderdevice 240, and range extender device 240 may be in communication withsmall cell device 230. As such, range extender device 240 may extend theeffective coverage area of small cell device 230 by relaying informationbetween user device 210 and small cell device 230. As mentioned above,in some implementations, range extender device 240 may do so byoperating as a repeater device (e.g., by using the cell ID of small celldevice 230, the same channels as small cell device 230, etc.). In someimplementations, range extender device 240 may relay information betweenuser device 210 and small cell device 230, but may do so as a moreindependently operating device (e.g., by using its own cell ID, byindependently selecting channels used by ranged extender device 240 tocommunicate with user device 210, etc.).

Process 300 may include collecting channel conditions information for anunlicensed spectrum (block 320). For instance, small cell device 230and/or range extender device 240 may search for information about thechannels of an unlicensed spectrum. In some implementations, small celldevice 230 and/or range extender device 240 may collect channelcondition information using a WiFi sniffer to detect Wi-Fi preambles.

In some implementations, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may identify channels that are empty (e.g., not being usedwithin the coverage areas of small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240), channels that are being affected by network activity (e.g.,experiencing interference within the coverage areas of small cell device230 and/or range extender device 240) at or below a pre-selectedutilization threshold, and/or channels that are being utilized the least(e.g., open channels).

In some implementations, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may collect information corresponding to all of the channelswithin the unlicensed spectrum. In some implementations, small celldevice 230 and/or range extender device 240 may only search amongstchannels that correspond to a pre-selected portion of the unlicensedspectrum. For example, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may be restricted to using certain channels within theunlicensed spectrum (e.g., channels corresponding to a particular rangeof radio frequencies within the unlicensed spectrum).

In such implementations, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may collect channel conditions information corresponding tothe channels to which small cell device 230 and/or range extender device240 are restricted. In some implementations, small cell device 230and/or range extender device 240 may be restricted to the same portionof the unlicensed spectrum. In some implementations, small cell device230 and/or range extender device 240 may be restricted to the differentportion of the unlicensed spectrum.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of channel restrictions that maybe applied to small cell device 230 and range extender device 240. Asshown, small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240 may berestricted to downlink channels corresponding to particular portions ofthe unlicensed spectrum. For instance, small cell device 230 may berestricted to downlink channels within a range of frequencies of theunlicensed spectrum, such as the Unlicensed National InformationInfrastructure (U-NII) Band 1 of the 5 GHz Unlicensed Spectrum.Similarly, range extender device 240 may be restricted to downlinkchannels within a different range of frequencies of the unlicensedspectrum, such as UNII Band 3 of the 5 GHz Unlicensed.

In some implementations, a different arrangement of restrictions may beapplied to small cell device 230 and range extender device 240. Forinstance, in some implementations, only one of small cell device orrange extender device 240 may be subject to a channel restriction. Inother implementations, a downlink channel restriction applied to smallcell device 230 may include a range of frequencies that overlaps with adownlink channel restriction applied to range extender device 240.Additionally, or alternatively, a downlink channel restriction appliedto either of small cell device 230 or range extender device 240 mayinclude two or more frequency ranges within the unlicensed spectrum. Insome implementations, when PCS is being used with respect to thelicensed spectrum channel, both small cell device 230 and range extenderdevice 240 may dynamically select channels from a union of U-NII Band 1and U-NII Band 3 (but different channels) and communicate the use ofmutually exclusive channels over the licensed channel between them.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another example of channel restrictionsthat may be applied to small cell device 230 and range extender device240. As shown, small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240may be restricted to downlink channels corresponding to the sameportions of the unlicensed spectrum. For instance, small cell device 230and range extender device 240 may each be permitted to use downlinkchannels of U-NII Band 1 and U-NII Band 3. However, other portions ofthe unlicensed spectrum may not be available to small cell device 230and range extender device 240 for downlink channels. Similar to theexamples provided above with reference to FIG. 4, a differentarrangement of downlink channel restrictions may be applied to smallcell device 230 and range extender device 240. For instance, small celldevice 230 may be restricted to U-NII Band 1, whereas range extenderdevice 240 may only be restricted to U-NII Band 1 and U-NII Band 3.

Referring now to FIG. 3, process 300 may further include providingchannel conditions information to small cell device 230 (block 330). Forexample, range extender device 240 may provide channel conditioninformation, collected by range extender device 240, to small celldevice 230. In some implementations, doing so may better enable smallcell device 230 to identify an appropriate channel within the unlicensedspectrum since there may be channel conditions within the coverage areaof range extender device 240 that are not within the coverage area ofsmall cell device 230. Additionally, since user device 210 may be in thecoverage area of range extender device 240, but not within the coveragearea of small cell device 230, channel conditions within the coveragearea of range extender device 240 may be as important, or moreimportant, to determining a reliable channel for sending information touser device 210. For instance, in implementations where range extenderdevice 240 operates as a relatively simple relay or repeater device,channel conditions within the coverage area of range extender device 240may be particularly important since range extender device 240 may usethe same channel selected by range extender device 240.

Process 300 may include identifying an appropriate downlink channel forcommunicating information to user device 210 (block 340). For example,small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240 may identify anappropriate channel, within the unlicensed spectrum, for reliablycommunicating information to user device 210. In some implementations,small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240 may identify theappropriate downlink channel based on channel conditions informationcollected by small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240.

For instance, in implementations where range extender device 240includes a relatively simple relay or repeater device, small cell device230 may identify an appropriate downlink channel based on a combinationof channel conditions information collected by range extender device240, and range extender device 240. In such implementations, rangeextender device 240 may not identify an appropriate downlink channel(independent from small cell device 230) since range extender device 240may be designed to use whichever downlink channel is selected by smallcell device 230.

By contrast, in implementations where range extender device 240 operatesas a more independent device, small cell device 230 may identify adownlink channel that is appropriate for communicating information smallcell device 230, and range extender device 240 may identify anappropriate downlink channel for communicating information from rangeextender device 240 to user device 210. In some implementations, thedownlink channels identified by each of small cell device 230 and rangeextender device 240 may be the same downlink channel or differentdownlink channel.

Returning to FIG. 3, process 300 may also include using the identifieddownlink channel to send information to user device 210 (block 350). Forexample, small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240 may usethe downlink channels identified as appropriate for communicatinginformation to user device 210. As described above, in someimplementations, the downlink channel used by cell device 230 and rangeextender device 240 may be whichever downlink channel is identified asappropriate by small cell device 230. In other implementations, thedownlink channel used by cell device 230 may be whichever is identifiedas appropriate by small cell device 230, while the downlink channel usedby range extender device 240 may be whichever downlink channel isidentified as appropriate by range extender device 240.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example for determining channelconditions that include wireless activity from one or more hidden nodes.As shown, small cell device 230 and range extender device 240 mayoperate in an environment that includes hidden nodes, such as WiFidevices 610. As used herein, a WiFi device may include a user device, anaccess point, or another type of device that is capable of communicatingin a WiFi network.

As described above, small cell device 230 and/or range extender device240 may collect information corresponding to channel conditions withintheir respective coverage ranges. In some implementations, the channelconditions may include the activity of wireless devices that areoperating in the vicinity of small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240. For example, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may determine whether there are other LTE devices in thevicinity that are using one or more channels of the unlicensed spectrum,how much each channel is being used, how much each channel is beinginterfered with as a result of the activity, etc. In another example,small cell device 230 and/or range extender device 240 may alsodetermine whether there are other types of devices (e.g., non-WiFidevices 6 in the vicinity that are also using the unlicensed spectrum.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a small cell device 230 and/or arange extender device 240 determining channel conditions for differentsignal power output levels. As shown, small cell device 230 and rangeextender device 240 may include coverage ranges that are based on apower output by small cell device 230 and range extender device 240,respectively. Additionally, as described above, small cell device 230and range extender device 240 may collect channel conditionsinformation, which may include information about which channels (e.g.,in a non-licensed spectrum) are being used and/or an amount ofinterference corresponding to each channel.

In some implementations, small cell device 230 and/or range extenderdevice 240 may change the coverage range (e.g., by adjusting the outputtransmission power) corresponding to each device and collect the channelconditions information within the contexts of the different coverageareas. The different coverage areas may experience different levels ofinterference since, for example, smaller coverage areas may not includeas many competing LTE devices and/or hidden nodes. As such, collectingchannel conditions information within the contexts of the differentcoverage areas may, for example, enable small cell device 230 and/orrange extender device 240 to determine whether a particular channel isviable in one coverage range even though the channel is not viable inanother coverage range.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of example components of a device 800. Each of thedevices illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2 and 4-8 may include one or moredevices 800. Device 800 may include bus 810, processor 820, memory 830,input component 840, output component 850, and communication interface860. In another implementation, device 800 may include additional,fewer, different, or differently arranged components. As describedherein, a component may be implemented by hardware circuitry, softwarelogic, and/or some combination thereof. The term “circuitry” may bebroadly used herein to refer to a software implementation, softwareimplementation, or combination thereof.

Bus 810 may include one or more communication paths that permitcommunication among the components of device 800. Processor 820 mayinclude a processor, microprocessor, or processing logic that mayinterpret and execute instructions. Memory 830 may include any type ofdynamic storage device that may store information and instructions forexecution by processor 820, and/or any type of non-volatile storagedevice that may store information for use by processor 820.

Input component 840 may include a mechanism that permits an operator toinput information to device 800, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a button,a switch, etc. Output component 850 may include a mechanism that outputsinformation to the operator, such as a display, a speaker, one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.

Communication interface 860 may include any transceiver-like mechanismthat enables device 800 to communicate with other devices and/orsystems. For example, communication interface 860 may include anEthernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, or thelike. Communication interface 860 may include a wireless communicationdevice, such as an infrared (IR) receiver, a cellular radio, a Bluetoothradio, or the like. The wireless communication device may be coupled toan external device, such as a remote control, a wireless keyboard, amobile telephone, etc. In some embodiments, device 800 may include morethan one communication interface 860. For instance, device 800 mayinclude an optical interface and an Ethernet interface.

Device 800 may perform certain operations described above. Device 800may perform these operations in response to processor 820 executingsoftware instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, such asmemory 830. A computer-readable medium may be defined as anon-transitory memory device. A memory device may include space within asingle physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memorydevices. The software instructions may be read into memory 830 fromanother computer-readable medium or from another device. The softwareinstructions stored in memory 830 may cause processor 820 to performprocesses described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may beused in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement processes described herein. Thus, implementations describedherein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitryand software.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe broader scope set forth in the claims that follow. The specificationand drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan restrictive sense.

For example, while a series of lines, arrows, and/or blocks have beendescribed with regard to FIGS. 1A-1B and 3 the order of the blocks andarrangement of the lines and/or arrows may be modified in otherimplementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed inparallel. Similarly, while series of communications have been describedwith regard to several of the Figures provided herein, the order ornature of the communications may potentially be modified in otherimplementations.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may beimplemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardwarein the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual softwarecode or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspectsshould not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operations and behaviorsof the aspects that were described without reference to the specificsoftware code—it being understood that software and control hardwarecould be designed to implement the aspects based on the descriptionherein.

Further, certain portions may be implemented as “logic” that performsone or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), or a combination of hardware and software.

To the extent the aforementioned embodiments collect, store or employpersonal information provided by individuals, it should be understoodthat such information shall be used in accordance with all applicablelaws concerning protection” of personal information. Additionally, thecollection, storage and use of such information may be subject toconsent of the individual to such activity, for example, throughwell-known “opt-in” or “opt-out” processes as may be appropriate for thesituation and type of information. Storage and use of personalinformation may be in an appropriately secure manner reflective of thetype of information, for example, through various encryption andanonymization techniques for particularly sensitive information.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to be limiting. In fact, many of these features may be combinedin ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in thespecification.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described assuch. An instance of the use of the term “and,” as used herein, does notnecessarily preclude the interpretation that the phrase “and/or” wasintended in that instance. Similarly, an instance of the use of the term“or,” as used herein, does not necessarily preclude the interpretationthat the phrase “and/or” was intended in that instance. Also, as usedherein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items, andmay be used interchangeably with the phrase “one or more.” Where onlyone item is intended, the terms “one,” “single,” “only,” or similarlanguage is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A range extender device comprising circuitry to:establish a first channel, corresponding to a licensed spectrum of radiofrequencies, for communicating with a small cell device of a Long-TermEvolution (LTE) network, the first channel including first downlinkcapabilities and first uplink capabilities; establish a second channel,corresponding to the licensed spectrum of radio frequencies, forcommunicating with a user device located within a coverage area of therange extender device, the second channel including second downlinkcapabilities and second uplink capabilities; collect informationregarding usage and availability of downlink channels, corresponding toan unlicensed spectrum; provide the collected information to the smallcell device; establish a first downlink-only channel corresponding tothe unlicensed spectrum of radio frequencies; establish a seconddownlink-only channel, corresponding to the unlicensed spectrum, foraugmenting the downlink capabilities of the second channel; receivecommunications, from the small cell device and intended for the userdevice, via a combination of the first channel and the firstdownlink-only channel; and send the communications to the user device,via a combination of the second channel and the second downlink-onlychannel.
 2. The range extender device of claim 1, wherein the secondchannel is established based on the first channel such that the firstchannel and the second channel are the same channel.
 3. The rangeextender device of claim 2, wherein the second downlink-only channel isestablished based on the first-downlink only channel such that the firstdownlink-only channel and the second downlink-only channel are the samedownlink-only channel.
 4. The range extender device of claim 1, wherein,when establishing the second downlink-only channel, the circuitry isfurther to: identify, based on the information regarding the usage andavailability of downlink channels, the second downlink-only channel froma plurality of downlink-only channels of the non-licensed spectrum, andselect the second downlink-only channel for second downlink-onlychannel.
 5. The range extender device of claim 1, wherein theinformation regarding the usage and availability of downlink channelsincludes an availability of each of the downlink-only channels of theunlicensed spectrum and signal interference corresponding to each of thedownlink-only channels.
 6. The range extender device of claim 5, whereinthe information includes signal interference corresponding to each ofthe downlink-only channels includes signal interference measured atdifferent levels of signal power.
 7. The range extender device of claim1, wherein: the licensed spectrum includes a spectrum of radiofrequencies corresponding to Personal Communications Service (PWS) orAdvanced Wireless Services (AWS) communications, and the unlicensedspectrum includes a spectrum of radio frequencies corresponding to 5GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum corresponding to WiFi communications.
 8. Amethod, comprising: establishing, by a range extender device incommunication with a small cell device of a Long-Term Evolution (LTE)network, a first channel, corresponding to a licensed spectrum of radiofrequencies, for communicating with the small cell device, the firstchannel including first downlink capabilities and first uplinkcapabilities; establishing, by the range extender device, a secondchannel, corresponding to the licensed spectrum of radio frequencies,for communicating with a user device located within a coverage area ofthe range extender device, the second channel including second downlinkcapabilities and second uplink capabilities; collecting, by the rangeextender device, information regarding usage and availability ofdownlink channels, corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum; providing,by the range extender device, the collected information to the smallcell device; establishing, by the range extender device, a firstdownlink-only channel corresponding to the unlicensed spectrum of radiofrequencies; establishing, by the range extender device, a seconddownlink-only channel, corresponding to the unlicensed spectrum, foraugmenting the downlink capabilities of the second channel; receiving,by the range extender device, communications, from the small cell deviceand intended for the user device, via a combination of the first channeland the first downlink-only channel; and sending, by the range extenderdevice, the communications to the user device, via a combination of thesecond channel and the second downlink-only channel.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the second channel is established based on the firstchannel such that the first channel and the second channel are the samechannel.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second downlink-onlychannel is established based on the first-downlink only channel suchthat the first downlink-only channel and the second downlink-onlychannel are the same downlink-only channel.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the establishing of the second downlink-only channel includes:identifying, based on the information regarding the usage andavailability of downlink channels, the second downlink-only channel froma plurality of downlink-only channels of the non-licensed spectrum, andselecting the second downlink-only channel for second downlink-onlychannel.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the information regardingthe usage and availability of downlink channels includes an availabilityof each of the downlink-only channels of the unlicensed spectrum andsignal interference corresponding to each of the downlink-only channels.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information includes signalinterference corresponding to each of the downlink-only channelsincludes signal interference measured at different levels of signalpower.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein: the licensed spectrumincludes a spectrum of radio frequencies corresponding to PersonalCommunications Service (PWS) or Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)communications, and the unlicensed spectrum includes a spectrum of radiofrequencies corresponding to a 5 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum, spanningUnlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) Band 1 and U-NIIBand
 3. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium to cause one ormore processors to execute processor-executable instructions, whereinthe processor-executable instructions cause the one or more processorsto: establish a first channel, corresponding to a licensed spectrum ofradio frequencies, for communicating with a small cell device of aLong-Term Evolution (LTE) network, the first channel including firstdownlink capabilities and first uplink capabilities; establish a secondchannel, corresponding to the licensed spectrum of radio frequencies,for communicating with a user device located within a coverage area ofthe range extender device, the second channel including second downlinkcapabilities and second uplink capabilities; collect informationregarding usage and availability of downlink channels, corresponding toan unlicensed spectrum; provide the collected information to the smallcell device; establish a first downlink-only channel corresponding tothe unlicensed spectrum of radio frequencies; establish a seconddownlink-only channel, corresponding to the unlicensed spectrum, foraugmenting the downlink capabilities of the second channel; receivecommunications, from the small cell device and intended for the userdevice, via a combination of the first channel and the firstdownlink-only channel; and send the communications to the user device,via a combination of the second channel and the second downlink-onlychannel.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the second channel is established based on the first channelsuch that the first channel and the second channel are the same channel.17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thesecond downlink-only channel is established based on the first-downlinkonly channel such that the first downlink-only channel and the seconddownlink-only channel are the same downlink-only channel.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein, whenestablishing the second downlink-only channel, the processor-executableinstructions cause the processor to: identify, based on the informationregarding the usage and availability of downlink channels, the seconddownlink-only channel from a plurality of downlink-only channels of thenon-licensed spectrum, and select the second downlink-only channel forsecond downlink-only channel.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the information regarding the usage andavailability of downlink channels includes an availability of each ofthe downlink-only channels of the unlicensed spectrum and signalinterference corresponding to each of the downlink-only channels. 20.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein theinformation includes signal interference corresponding to each of thedownlink-only channels includes signal interference measured atdifferent levels of signal power.